Sibling Placement Policy 624-05-15-45

(Revised 1/7/08 ML #3125)

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North Dakota policy is placement of siblings together whenever possible. When it is not possible to place siblings together, or if there is only one child in care, visitation between family members and the foster child must be determined and documented in SPOC. Visitations must be appropriate and must be sufficient to meet the needs and safety of the foster child(ren). Face-to-face contact is recommended. However, letters, phone calls, or interactive video is allowed.

 

Sibling placements present unique challenges to the foster care case manager. Some of these are requirements for the least restrictive placement, shortage of foster homes in some localities, licensing and placement limitations, and most importantly the needs of each child in the sibling group.

 

When considering a foster home with a child currently in their care, the needs of the child in care must be considered regarding placing more children in the home. How long has the child been in that particular foster home? How old is the child? How has the child adjusted? What is the plan? What is the projected length of care for the current child? What will be the impact on the foster parents and the current child if additional children are placed in that home?

 

Educational and medical needs of each child in the sibling group must be considered. Transportation related to meeting these needs may also be a factor.

 

The number of siblings is a determining factor in searching for placement resources. Keep in mind the statutory requirements (N.D.C.C. 50-11-00.1.) which states that a family foster home may have ". . . no more than four children, unless all children in foster care are related to each other by blood or marriage, in which case such limitation does not apply." (NOTE: foster parent's children are not included in the limitation of four.) Here are some typical situations:

 

Examples:

 

Foster home is licensed for four children, has one child in care: A total of three siblings could be placed, unless all the siblings are related to the child in care.

 

Foster home is licensed for four children, no children in care. If appropriate, an entire sibling group could be placed in the home, even though the sibling group exceeded four children.

 

Exceptions to placement of siblings together may be necessary. The emotional medical or educational needs of the children cannot always all be addressed in the same home.